There's another thread about which youngster could make the breakthrough this year. Duffy wasn't on it, but he could be the closest. A full season in the Championship and international recognition will do him no harm at all.
I like him. He's a good defender, a leader, composed on the ball and a threat in the opposition penalty area. His biggest weakness is his lack of pace but that hasn't hindered Terry, Mertesacker and Skrtel too much.
He's got a few players ahead of him in the pecking order but if we change our system or start phasing Distin out then he could leapfrog Alcaraz. And over the last few seasons Jagielka has tended to have quite serious injuries, so there could be opportunities.
If Barry goes elsewhere and Roberto decides to switch to three at the back it would be great to see Jags sweeping around Stones and Duffy. Plus it would reinforce our Irish contingent. Imagine a national side featuring Coleman, Duffy, McCarthy, Gibson and McGeady.